The early signs haven’t been good for the Spurs, as Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical shed light on the situation on July 4:

One of the NBA’s all-time icons – San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan – is leaning strongly toward retirement, a decision that would end an illustrious 19-season NBA career, league sources told The Vertical.

Duncan has left team officials, close associates and friends with a strong belief he’s preparing to make an announcement in the near future on his departure, sources said.

Duncan, 40, averaged a respectable 8.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game last season on 25.2 minutes. His role already reduced, Duncan might take an even bigger backseat next year thanks to the big arrival of Pau Gasol as the Spurs look to take another shot at a championship.

The Western Conference has changed rapidly as of late with the Golden State Warriors adding Kevin Durant. San Antonio would love to have Duncan come off the bench and help play the spoiler to the favorites, but it will come down to whether he wants to play a further reduced role and if he believes the team can contend.

Either way, Duncan’s situation was wrongfully overshadowed all year long by Kobe Bryant. The NBA might have to say goodbye to another legend as early as next weekend.

About Chris Roling

Chris is an Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism graduate and associate editor here at TSD. He also covers breaking news and the NFL at Bleacher Report and resides in Athens (OH) with his wife and two dogs.